Visakhapatnam fishermen search: One rescued, six still missing in Bay of Bengal
Synopsis
One of seven fishermen who went missing off Visakhapatnam was pulled to safety by a passing ship on 5 July — but six remain unaccounted for in the Bay of Bengal. With a technical fault reported near the Gangavaram coast and rough seas triggered by a low-pressure system, the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Police are racing against time as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally monitors the rescue.
Key Takeaways
Seven fishermen from Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts went missing after departing Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on 1 July .
Kare Chinnaiah , the boat owner, was rescued by a passing ship's crew and brought safely to shore on 5 July .
Six fishermen remain missing; the ship's crew reportedly sighted five of them but could not bring them aboard.
A technical fault was reported with the boat near the Gangavaram coast ; rough seas were caused by a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal .
Chandrababu Naidu ordered an intensified search and directed the Marine IG and Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police to coordinate efforts.
The Coast Guard , Indian Navy (including helicopters), and Marine Police are all active in the search operation.
Six fishermen remain missing in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh as a multi-agency search operation intensified on Sunday, 5 July, after one of the seven missing crew members was rescued safely. The Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Marine Police are conducting coordinated search efforts, with Navy helicopters deployed since Sunday morning.
What Happened
A group of seven fishermen from Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts had set out from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on 1 July for a routine fishing trip. When rough sea conditions developed due to a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, their families contacted them by mobile phone to urge an early return. The fishermen assured their families they would be back by the afternoon of 4 July.
When they failed to return and their mobile phones were found switched off, anxious family members alerted the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Officials also confirmed that a technical fault had developed with the boat near the Gangavaram coast, compounding the danger.
The Rescue So Far
The crew of a passing ship spotted the stranded fishermen and rescued Kare Chinnaiah, the owner of the fishing boat, bringing him safely to shore on Sunday. According to reports, the ship's crew sighted five fishermen in the water, but only Chinnaiah was able to board the vessel. The information provided by Chinnaiah and the ship crew has guided rescuers in narrowing the search zone for the remaining six.
Chief Minister Orders Intensified Search
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu intervened directly, speaking with senior officials over the phone from Kuppam in Chittoor district to review the rescue operation. He directed the Marine Inspector General and the Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police to personally coordinate search efforts and provide him with regular updates.
Naidu also instructed Minister Atchannaidu and local public representatives from Visakhapatnam to reach out to the families of the missing fishermen and extend all possible assistance. A Coast Guard vessel is actively searching the Bay of Bengal for the missing boat.
Multi-Agency Response
The scale of the response reflects the severity of the situation. Navy helicopters began aerial search operations on Sunday morning, working in tandem with Coast Guard vessels and Marine Police boats. This is not an isolated incident — fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts regularly venture into the Bay of Bengal, and rough weather during the monsoon season has historically posed serious risks to small fishing vessels.
Authorities are expected to continue the search operation through the coming days as families of the six missing fishermen await news.
Point of View
Leaving families dependent on mobile phones that go dead in rough weather. The deployment of Navy helicopters only after families raised the alarm, days after the boat failed to return, raises questions about whether early-warning protocols for distress at sea are functioning as intended. Chief Minister Naidu's personal intervention is notable, but the broader policy question — how to equip small fishing boats with mandatory GPS trackers and emergency beacons — remains unaddressed.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fishermen are still missing off Visakhapatnam?
Six fishermen remain missing in the Bay of Bengal as of 5 July. One of the original seven, boat owner Kare Chinnaiah, was rescued by a passing ship and brought safely to shore on Sunday.
When did the fishermen go missing and why?
The seven fishermen departed Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on 1 July and were expected back by the afternoon of 4 July. A low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal caused rough sea conditions, and a technical fault reportedly developed with the boat near the Gangavaram coast, preventing their return.
Who is leading the search operation?
The Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Marine Police are jointly conducting the search. Navy helicopters were deployed from Sunday morning. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the Marine IG and Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police to personally oversee and coordinate the operation.
What did Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu order?
Naidu spoke with senior officials by phone from Kuppam in Chittoor district and ordered an intensified search. He also instructed Minister Atchannaidu and local Visakhapatnam representatives to assist the families of the missing fishermen.
Where are the missing fishermen from?
The seven fishermen belong to Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts in Andhra Pradesh. They had set out from Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour for a routine fishing trip on 1 July.
